Halal in Glasgow: A Guide to Cooking Halal at Home

What halal means, in short

Halal is Arabic for permitted. For meat, it means a permitted animal (so never pork), slaughtered by a Muslim with a swift cut to the throat while the name of God is said, and the blood drained. Our plain guide to halal meat goes through it step by step, including zabiha, tasmiyah and why certifiers disagree about stunning. For the words you'll hear at the counter, see the butcher's dictionary.

Shopping for halal on the Southside

We have one shop, at 44 Kilmarnock Road in Shawlands. Every cut of meat at our counter is halal and cut to order while you wait: lamb, mutton, beef and chicken, from two thighs to a whole lamb. The rice, spices, fresh herbs and veg for the rest of the meal are on the shelves around it.

It's a short trip from across the Southside. Pick your area for the route by train, bus, car or on foot:

A few tips for getting the best from any halal butcher:

Name the dish, not just the meat. "Lamb for karahi" gets you small pieces on the bone; "lamb for roasting" gets you a whole leg. The butcher's guide matches every dish to its cut.
Buy what you need. Meat cut to order means no packs of six when you only want two.
Ask for fresh mince. Lean for keema and bolognese, about 20% fat for burgers and kebabs.
Mutton or lamb? Mutton is older and deeper in flavour and suits slow cooking. Our mutton vs lamb guide explains when to use which.
Order ahead for big days. For Eid, a wedding or an aqiqah, order ahead and collect when it suits you.

Halal in your kitchen

Cooking halal at home is mostly about the meat, but a few everyday ingredients are worth a second look:

Gelatine is often made from pork. It turns up in sweets, marshmallows, jelly, some yoghurts and desserts. Look for halal or vegetarian versions.
Alcohol is in some cooking sauces, gravies and marinades, and in vanilla extract. Read the label.
Stock cubes and gravy granules can be made with meat extract. Use a halal or vegetarian one, or make your own stock from a chicken carcass.
Cheese is sometimes made with animal rennet. Many people choose cheese labelled suitable for vegetarians.
Keep raw meat apart from food that's ready to eat, with its own board and knife. The Food Standards Agency has the basics, and our storing meat guide has fridge and freezer times.

Cooking through the year

Halal cooking in Glasgow follows two calendars: the Islamic one, with Ramadan and the two Eids, and the Scottish seasons, with BBQs in summer and soups and stews when it turns cold.

Islamic calendar for Glasgow: the expected dates for Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Muharram and Mawlid, with what to cook for each.
Ramadan kitchen: freezer prep, the shopping list and a week of iftars.
Eid feast: the menu, how much meat, and when to order.
Halal BBQ: the best cuts, marinades and a shopping list.
Our year: what's in the shop from Ramadan to winter warmers.

Recipes from every kitchen

Glasgow cooks from all over the world. Every one of our recipes says exactly which cut to ask for.

Pakistani and Punjabi

Afghan

Arab and North African

Scottish and British, made halal

Quick and for the kids

All recipes

Guides for the halal home cook

Curry basics: the method behind almost every curry.
Pakistani spices explained: zeera, haldi, kalonji and the rest.
Roasting times: a calculator for lamb and chicken.
Cooking for a crowd: how much meat and rice per person.
Good food for less: the best-value cuts and how to cook them.
Student batch cooking: a week of dinners from one shop.

Questions

Where can I buy halal meat on the Southside of Glasgow?

At Madina Store, 44 Kilmarnock Road, Shawlands, Glasgow G41 3NH. Every cut of meat we sell is halal and cut to order while you wait, and we're a short trip from Queen's Park, Pollokshields, Govanhill, Giffnock and the rest of the Southside.

Can anyone eat halal meat?

Yes. Halal meat is simply meat, and it cooks and tastes the same. Everyone is welcome at the counter.

Do Scottish recipes work with halal meat?

Yes. Mince and tatties, stovies, steak pie and Scotch broth are just as good with halal beef and lamb. Where a recipe uses bacon, leave it out; a pinch of smoked paprika gives a similar smoky note.

What's the difference between halal and zabiha?

Halal means permitted. Zabiha means an animal slaughtered by hand in the halal way. Our guide to halal meat explains both, and why certifiers take different views on stunning.

When are Ramadan and Eid this year?

See our Islamic calendar for Glasgow for the expected dates and what to cook for each.